Two in three (68%) job applications are rejected due to a lack of relevant skills, and 78% of employers are not satisfied with the quality of applications they receive for open positions, research from IrishJobs shows.

The level of applicants for jobs who do not have the relevant skills for the position is slowing down recruitment, and highlighting a growing disconnect between what employers are looking for and where job candidates can deliver.

Just 25% of candidates progress to the interview stage, and IrishJobs said that manual screening is slowing decisions and making it easier to miss strong candidates.

A total of 552 recruiters and 738 jobseekers were questioned for the survey.

After a lack of relevant skills, the other most common reasons for applications being rejected are a lack of relevant experience and unexplained employment gaps, but presentation is also an issue.

More than a fifth (21%) of job candidates are rejected due to poorly formatted applications. In response, a growing number of job seekers are turning to AI to improve their applications.

Findings from the research show that 35% of candidates are now using AI to optimise the formatting and language quality of their documents, and IrishJobs said employers should consider evolving their hiring processes to ensure more holistic candidate evaluation.

More than three-quarters believe the expectations and responsibilities of open roles were not clearly outlined in adverts during their last job search, according to the survey findings, and 20% of job seekers would decline a job offer after an interview if expectations differ significantly from those advertised.

Candidates are also deterred by missing information.

Half of candidates (50%) say the absence of a salary range makes them less likely to apply.

Nearly as many (44%) are put off by unclear job titles, while a third (33%) report that vague descriptions of job benefits also impact their decision.

Sam Dooley, country director of The Stepstone Group Ireland, with responsibility for IrishJobs, said we can expect a slower pace of employment growth in Ireland over the coming months against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty.

"It’s clear from the findings of the IrishJobs Recruiter & Jobseeker survey that the quality of job applications received by employers in Ireland is having a direct impact on recruitment," he said of the survey findings.

"A high volume of applications from candidates without the relevant skills for roles is creating challenges for many employers, resulting in a slower pace of hiring and the need for additional resources to manage the hiring process.

"Developing clearer and more detailed job advertisements is one of the steps employers should consider in addressing these challenges and enhancing the quality of job applications.

"From salary and benefits to flexible working arrangements, jobseeker expectations are evolving at pace and leading to a growing disconnect between employers and candidates.

"Addressing these shifting preferences and providing a clear breakdown around the requirements and responsibilities of open roles can help to enhance the efficiency of the recruitment process and support employers to better secure the high-calibre talent that meets their future needs.”

(Pic: Getty Images)